The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1887-02-12

Then woman's standard faith--came to
the rescue. and she put forth her hand,
while her low. sweet voice caused Gerald
70 look up again.
aGerald, il is all over. May ! help you
now?"
He did not need to inquire what was all
over. Too we'll he knew the struggle that
had swept like an overwhelming Hood over
that trembling soul. and left nothing but
pity and forgiveness.
He could not understand; II did not seem
possible that any woman could love a man
so unselfshy, that, after be had wrecked
her life, she could under the trying circum-
stances. offer her assistance without word
of reproach.
"Yes, Elise; you may help me. Take
my bnby-girl, and Heaven will bless you.
"But you must come, Gerald. There ~
room for all in tho boat. We will take the
lady on shore and bury her there
Elise could not say "your wife" yet: the
wound was too deep, the blow hal been
too sure.
She gave orders for tho removal of the
dead, with Gerald's baby claspcd close IN
her arms, like one talking in her sleep.
II was oil like a troubled dream that she
must awaken from soon.
She never rightly remembered how they
reached the shore and what happened after
how Gerald's wife was laid TO rest by the
old gray rock they said 1t had been her
wish: nothing seemed real but Gerald ut
the old tryst- place by her side.
She had come out 10 the rock tonight
for the first time since she had sat and
listened 10 the signal-g gun from the sinking
ship.
AS she sat reviewing rs best she could
the last -four days, Gerald came and stood
by her side, looking so pale and worn.
Elise. i have something IN tell you, " he
said, sitting down by her s.Ae. Are you
willing TO lislenY"
"Yes, Gerald, am willing TO listen" she
said, repeating his words in low, caress-
ing tone; "it is best that / should know how
il all happened"
"Snowbird, let me begin three years ago,
when / stood on this old stone holding your
hand in mine and saying the word fare
well. Heaven knows, / intended no harm
when told my love and won your trusting
heart IL was like drifting with the tide,
and il would have been like pulling against
! the stream 10 have fled from your coy,
sweet presence when, in your innocence
and trust, You. could not hide your love from
me. / was but mortal. Elise, and failed TO
do my duty. left you with promise OF a
speedy return, when you would be all the
world TO me. And how did ! fulhl that
promisel will tell you, Snowbird, although
| ] hide my head in shame. was engaged TO
be married when / won your love, but,
| Elise, / forgot it in your sweet, bewllder-
| ing love. ! returned home and fulfilled
that engagement, trying to think that you
would prove as false as i. Even that
would have been consolation. My bride
loved me truly and tenderly. and in due
time, after baby Maude came, / almost
thought that love was fully returned.
filed her life; / made her happy at least,
for which thank Heaven now! We had
been on the Continent year, and were re-
turning home up tho Mediterranean, when
our ship was caught in a fearful storm.
In n sudden lurch of the ship my wife was
hurled from my side. aud her head coming
i'm contact with something. | know not
what, she was instantly killed. i knew nor
cared for nothing more until heard your
voice chilling me bnck 90 life and reality,
and felt your hand clasped in mine. Snow
bird. YOU have heard my story. Now |
am going away. Will you keep my baby
Maude while am away, and will You try
10 forgive and forget my error of the past"
Wild thrill of JOY ran like fire through
her veins. He was only asking what was
the desire OF her life 20 do, and she reached
ont her hand blindly toward him.
"Ycs, Gerald, | will take little Maude,
aud care for her until you come to claim
your own. / have already forgiven You,
aud will try 20 forget"
Gerald pressed those small hands very
closely in his, and through reverence foi
, the dead and respect for the living ht
looked his cnress and turned away.
One year had passed, freightod with it'
: Joy and woe.
( TO Elise IL had been very sweet.
Maude. with her baby ways, had crep
1 in and filed the aching void that Geraldi
absence had made. and tonight, the ami
$ versary of his departure, she stands on thu
old gray rock clasping Maudes dimple'
hand in hers, waiting for-what?
Through the low music OF the wave
Q came n voice--a voice that she had no
2 heard for one year.
0 II said Elise, have como to claim m
own. Is il all mine, or only partf is
J. 10 be but n tiny ray of light or one eterna
e day? Tell me, Snowbird; am asking to-
u much?"
"No, Gerald, all is yours" said Elsie,
glad smile lighting up her fairface; II hav
:, learned to forget.
q Gerald clasped her in his arms; he la
), that right now.
> And he knew and felt that he was
= better man for passing under the chasten
Z ing rod, while Elsie found love was Just q
- perfect after the gathering mp OF the broke
~ chain.
n